When you watch most sports on television, the broadcasters are located in the press box with a clear view of all the action. Sure there are some quirky baseball parks like Wrigley Field in Chicago where there are some blind spots down the left and right field lines. In football, there can be problems seeing if a ball is in or out of bounds. But the toughest sport for broadcasters to see is auto racing. Allen Bestwick is in his first year as ESPN’s play-by-play announcer for the Sprint Cup Series races, but he has been broadcasting NASCAR for over 27 years.
Bestwick discussed this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen — Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN — and the challenges the beautiful New York road course brings to the broadcast and production team.
How do you cover a race on a road course vs. an oval track?
Bestwick » No one track is really the same no matter if it is an oval or a road course. Following cars at say Daytona is different than it is at Dover. Each track has it’s distinct layout that we prepare for week after week. At Watkins Glen, since it is a vast road course, we can’t see large stretches of the track. So we rely on our production crew to show us the right pictures to match up with the many storylines that come up when the NASCAR drivers take on a road course.
What is it like broadcasting auto racing vs. other sports?
Bestwick » In baseball, basketball, football and hockey, the focus for the most part is on the ball or puck. In auto racing, the story is not always on who is winning the race. In other words, the ball moves around a great deal in racing. We may leave the race leaders to talk about a real battle for seventh and eighth place or what is happing in the pits or perhaps we talk about track conditions. So we have a lot of moving parts as we cover a race with over 40 cars in the field.
How important is the ability to talk to drivers and crew chiefs live during the race?
Bestwick » Well, think if Phil Simms could talk live to Peyton Manning as he walked up to line of scrimmage about the play he is going to call. We not only get to talk to the drivers during the race, but we also get to listen live on air to the communication between race teams. That access really brings the fans into our broadcasts and gives the telecast clarity.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
